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Topic: 2018 Driver Speculation (Read 4882 times)

More Polish news. Robert Kubica has tested at Paul Ricard where he and Renault confirm that he has no physical limitations preventing him from returning to F1. He'd have to fit most buttons on the left side of the steering wheel so that he can switch his switches and button his buttons. That's it.

"I have not yet driven a current F1 car. I could not be ready for Silverstone [this weekend's British Grand Prix]. It would take me two days of tests in a current car. That would accelerate my chances 1,000%."

Renault F1 managing director Cyril Abiteboul said it was "too early to say" and that plenty more testing would need to be done to assess Kubica's fitness.

A run in a 2017 car could come in the official F1 two-day test at the Hungaroring on 1-2 August - the Tuesday and Wednesday after the Hungarian Grand Prix - but Abiteboul said it was "too early to say if Robert will be with us in Budapest".

Well, if Renault decides to give him 1-2 days after Hungaroring, he could theoretically be ready to race at Spa. Hungaroring, which hosts the tests, is the final race before summer break. There's plenty of time to evaluate him at Hungaroring and then decide it. If he's capable of two full days of testing, then he sure is ready to compete again. The only question remaining then is his ability for wheel to wheel combat.

« Last Edit: July 13, 2017, 06:47:42 AM by Chrill »

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2008 - Runner-Up2009 - 4th2013 - Champion2014 - 3rd

"That's who I'm desperate to see replace Kimi. Vettel against Ericsson, bound to be a close run affair."- Penfold

Let's make some predictions! Going for some less likely rumours, but all in all it's a rather calm transfer market. Most teams maintain their lineups. The standouts are Perez to Ferrari and Sainz to Renault. Also Haas kicks out Grosjean for Leclerc. Might as well kick Magnussen out really.

Drawbacks here:Why would Grosjean go to Sauber? Well, Sauber aligns with Ferrari and Grosjean is too good to leave F1. Simple as that.Why would Giovinazzi NOT be in F1? Well, Ferrari is focusing on Leclerc.Why would Ferrari sign Perez? Well, why not?Why would Force India sign Wehrlein? Well, Mercedes made them.

« Last Edit: July 17, 2017, 10:14:38 AM by Chrill »

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2008 - Runner-Up2009 - 4th2013 - Champion2014 - 3rd

"That's who I'm desperate to see replace Kimi. Vettel against Ericsson, bound to be a close run affair."- Penfold

AMuS (Auto Motor und Sport) is announcing that Renault will be fielding Nicolas Latifi at the Hungaroring test, for one day. The other day, the one for "normal" drivers, will be dedicated to Robert Kubica.

This means that, if AMuS is right (they usually are), Kubica will get a full day in a 2017 car on modern tyres. Palmer will not get a single day of inseason testing, since two out of 4 days are for rookies and the Hulk has already had one day.

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2008 - Runner-Up2009 - 4th2013 - Champion2014 - 3rd

"That's who I'm desperate to see replace Kimi. Vettel against Ericsson, bound to be a close run affair."- Penfold

Well, we currently have two drivers rumoured to Renault for 2018 or even this year. Sainz or Kubica. Either Sainz is a backup to the Polish driver, or Hulkenberg is being approached by someone like Ferrari. Or, third option, one of the two simply isn't being approached by Renault.

We can all agree that Palmer racing for Renault is 2018 is not just unlikely, it's next to impossible. Hulkenberg + Sainz + Kubica = 3. Car + car = 2. Monisha Kaltenborn is needed to sort that out.

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2008 - Runner-Up2009 - 4th2013 - Champion2014 - 3rd

"That's who I'm desperate to see replace Kimi. Vettel against Ericsson, bound to be a close run affair."- Penfold

Like the sound of Hulk to Ferrari; if his efforts this year don't garner him a top drive then nothing will. Trying to think if he signed a multi-year deal with Renault requiring a buyout, this could then provide the cash to pay Red Bull for Sainz.